South Carolina § 50-13-640 - Possession of blue catfish.
Full text of South Carolina South Carolina Code of Laws § 50-13-640 — Possession of blue catfish., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 50-13-640. Possession of blue catfish.
(A) It is unlawful to possess more than two blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) greater than thirty-two inches in length in any one day in Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie, or the upper reach of the Santee River, the Congaree and Wateree rivers, and all other state waterways.
(B) It is unlawful to take more than twenty-five blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) a day in Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie, the upper reach of the Santee River, and all other state waterways.
(C) A person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than three hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.
HISTORY: 2012 Act No. 114, SECTION 4, eff July 1, 2012; 2014 Act No. 254 (H.4543), SECTION 1, eff April 1, 2015; 2014 Act No. 254 (H.4543), SECTION 5, eff June 30, 2018; 2021 Act No. 40 (S.36), SECTION 1, eff June 16, 2021.
Editor's Note
2014 Act No. 254, SECTION 5, provides as follows:
"SECTION 5. This act takes effect April 1, 2015, and shall be automatically repealed on June 30, 2018, unless reauthorized by a joint resolution for that specific purpose."
2021 Act No. 40, SECTION 3, provides as follows:
"SECTION 3. The Department of Natural Resources shall conduct a study of the blue catfish fishery in the Santee and Cooper river systems and make recommendations to the General Assembly concerning the fishery on or before January 1, 2025."
Effect of Amendment
2014 Act No. 254, SECTION 1, in subsection (A), substituted "two blue catfish" for "one blue catfish", substituted "thirty-two inches" for "thirty-six inches", and inserted "River" following "Santee"; added subsections (B) and (C), relating to daily possession limits and a study of the blue catfish fishery; and redesignated former subsection (B) as (D).
2021 Act No. 40, SECTION 1, in (A), substituted "two blue catfish" for "one blue catfish", "thirty-two inches" for "thirty-six inches", and "Santee River, the Congaree and Wateree rivers, and all other state waterways" for "Santee, and the Congaree and Wateree Rivers"; inserted (B); and redesignated former (B) as (C).
Source: official South Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina § 50-13-640
What does South Carolina Code of Laws § 50-13-640 cover?
Section 50-13-640 ("Possession of blue catfish.") is part of the South Carolina Code of Laws, the codified statutory law of South Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite South Carolina § 50-13-640?
A common citation format is "South Carolina Code of Laws § 50-13-640" (South Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of South Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Carolina attorney.
How does South Carolina § 50-13-640 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in South Carolina.